# apologizing

/əˈpɑɫəˌdʒaɪzɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apologizing
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. saying sorry

verb · CEFR A2

the action of telling someone you are sorry for a mistake or for hurting them.

For teachers: the present participle of 'apologize', indicating the ongoing expression of regret or remorse for a specific action.

- He is currently apologizing to his sister for breaking her favorite toy.
- The CEO is publicly apologizing for the data breach, hoping to restore consumer confidence in the company's security protocols.

### 2. the act of an apology

noun · CEFR B1

the act of making an apology.

For teachers: the gerund form used as a noun to represent the process or instance of offering an apology.

- Constant apologizing won't help if you don't change your behavior.
- Her constant apologizing became a source of irritation for her colleagues, who felt she was overcompensating for minor errors.

## Examples

- She was apologizing for being late.
- The manager was apologizing for the delay in the delivery.
- He stood there, apologizing for his earlier outburst with a sincerity that finally calmed the room.

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